Citation

Schipper EM, de Graaff LC, Koch BC, Brkic Z, Wilms EB, Alsma J, Schuit SCE. Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 2014; 78(6): 1469-1471.

Affiliation

Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/bcp.12495

PMID

25115565

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes are increasingly popular for smokers as an aid in the cessation of smoking. They are considered a less harmful alternative for traditional cigarettes. However, the liquid fillings of the electronic cigarettes ('e-liquid') contain high concentrations of nicotine which may cause potentially lethal poisoning when ingested. We present a case of nicotine poisoning in a 27 year-old male who attempted suicide by ingestion of a large amount of e-liquid. Given the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes the frequency of nicotine intoxications is likely to rise in the next years. Physicians working in the Emergency Department and general practice should become familiar with this intoxication.

Language: en